LACK of common sense is being blamed for leaving vulnerable Castlefields residents cut off from the world.

Old deck-access flats due for demolition later this month have already been fenced off, forcing residents to take long detours each time they walk to the shops, community centre or doctors' surgery.

And for the elderly, disabled and mums with prams the pathways provided can cause an access nightmare, according to Cllr Pat Tyrrell, himself a Caernarvon Close resident.

'Instead of being able to walk through the flats as they used to be able to do, people now have to go right around the edges. The problem is the pathways are narrow, there are all kinds of obstructions on them, so it's very difficult for people in wheelchairs to manoeuvre. For example, there is a lady who is dependent on a motorised scooter and she cannot navigate these paths in that, so she is effectively trapped in her home.'

He said the footpaths through the flats had been sealed off by Liverpool Housing Trust (LHT) nearly four weeks before demolition work was due to begin, causing un-necessary inconvenience to residents.

Resident Jack Wright, 79, said: 'People in wheelchairs are finding it very difficult to get around, these are very steep paths and only the other day I had to help a man in a wheelchair get to the top by pushing him.'

Lorraine Easeman, who also lives in Castlefields, said: 'It's a nightmare. You can't get wheelchairs or buggies on these paths because they're narrow and there are boulders and plants all over them left by the contractors.'

Andy Barrett, housing services manager for LHT, explained it had been necessary to seal off the flats prior to the major demolition work because preparatory work, including removal of asbestos panels, was taking place inside.

He said: 'We will be meeting with Cllr Tyrrell, other local councillors, the contractors, Crudens, and the rest of our team to talk through the problems.

'But unfortunately there's no way we can build 225 houses and demolish all the flats without there being some inconvenience, and our primary concern has to be the safety of people living nearby. If that means we have to close a couple of footpaths, then that is what we have to do.'

But Cllr Tyrrell said: 'Everyone around here is totally committed to the demolition programme and we welcome the new development, but what we need is common sense from LHT, because it appears no thought has been given to the elderly, disabled or people pushing prams.

'It's important that before phase two of the work begins we all sit down and look at the problems to make sure that people are not left isolated in their own homes.'